Greetings from a cyber cafe here in Kolkata. I arrived last Sat night, and it is good to feel a little bit like I am settled here. It is hard to believe that it has been less than two weeks since I left the US.
The new experience of flying standby was interesting. For those of us who like structure and order, I admit that I found it a bit stressful. The flight from Richmond to Atlanta was much fuller than I'd expected it to be. I got on it, though, and I got on the next flight to Amsterdam, in economy class, but I was on, and that was the leg of the journey that I had been 'warned' would be the tightest! Imagine my surprise when I was called in Amsterdam at the last possible second for boarding that final flight to Mumbai. I had a boarding pass in my hand . . . again on economy, and had even cleared security . . . . but it wasn't meant to be. The passenger that they couldn't find was already on the plane, and there was no seat for me!!!
I thought I knew the Amsterdam airport pretty well. I have traveled through it numerous times over the years. Well, let's just say that I know it better now after spending more than 24 hours there! There were several of us who didn't make the flight so the first order of business was to make a booking for the next day. With that accomplished, the next thing to do was try to get in touch with Kedu who was meeting me in Mumbai that night at almost midnight. Getting a calling card, getting some internet access and trying to reach Kedu for a total of four hours was stressful at best. During that time, I also decided to get a 'cubicle' in the airport, much like a ship's cabin, where I could sleep and shower and just get out of the airport noise. When I finally got Kedu she had just gotten out of surgery!!! (She is doing a surgical oncology residency in Mumbai at a top cancer hospital). I had also contacted the hotel she had booked me into, but the calling cards only last three minutes and are frightfully expensive! She assured me that she would take care of things and meet me on Thurs instead.
I hadn't even stopped to get anything to eat by that time, and so off I went to take care of that, and then to my cubicle to crash! I went dead asleep, and my watch said 7 when I awoke. I thought, a.m. or p.m. before I remembered that I had borrowed a clock from the hotel counter. It was p.m. so I took a sleeping pill and hit the sack again. I got two night's sleep in that cubicle so it was worth it. All of us who hadn't gotten on the day before got on in Business Class the next day. Oh my . . . I am spoiled forever. I watched four movies, ate smoked salmon on a real plate with real silverware and drank out of glasses!
Rebecca had taken Thurs off to spend with me, but we still got in a visit on Fri afternoon. Kedu joined us and after Rebecca went off to a prior commitment, Kedu and I headed for a piano/violin recital which was relaxing and lovely. Kedu is a beautiful pianist herself.
On Sat I had to check out of the hotel at noon and my flight wasn't until 4 p.m. I finally found a quieter place to roost while I waited after the very busy atmosphere of holiday travel had taken its toll on my nerves. I thought by coming to India in Nov, I would have missed the big Hindu festivals, but alas I was traveling at the same time that many were also traveling because of Divali, the festival of lights . . . one of the biggest!
Salim, one of the EMC drivers was there to meet me and wisk me off to Pauline Bhavan. By the time I got there half of the residents were asleep, the others welcomed me warmly, and those heavy suitcases were wisked upstairs. My bed was ready for me, and I was ready for it.
It was Sun a.m. before church that I discovered that I had left my Bible and devotional book behind in Mumbai . . . in my hotel room. I just couldn't believe it. We called after church, but alas . . . I have gotten a new Bible now, and am reading 1,000 Gifts which I had brought along and is so thought provoking that one can only read it in small portions. It is my new devotional book!
It was fun to see many friends on Sunday at church. It was also very nice to completely unpack and find a place for everything. I am in the same place as last time. Things are still working out with regards to my schedule. With Kali Pooja and Divali in full swing, things have been closed a lot this week. Hopefully by this time next week things will be a bit more settled. They want me to help with sponsorships at school during a pregnancy leave. I am quite keen to restart the English classes. I may be leading two studies with adult women. More details to be worked out.
I have also booked my flights down South for Dec 1 and 15. Really looking forward to the time with Freedom Firm.
I'm healthy, the weather is pleasant though it has been sort of muggy today. They even closed the door here a little while ago and turned on the a.c. Now, that feels good!
I feel the Lord is speaking to me about listening to Him and being led by Him rather than seeking to do everything that others want me to do. Praying for wisdom, guidance and realistic boundaries.
The kids in PB, at Anandoloy and at school have been very welcoming, and it is great to be back with my adult friends here, too!
Closing for now!
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